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What do you need to make wet wipes?
To start production, you need 9 essentials.
A machine alone is not enough to produce wet wipes. In this guide we bring together everything you will need as a checklist: from machines to floor space, from raw materials to quality control and documents.
Checklist: 9 essentials
A wet wipes plant is more than machines. Before you start production, you should have a plan for each of these nine items.
- Product and market decisionWhich wipes you will sell, to whom and through which channel determines every other decision.
- Machine lineFolding, cutting, wetting and stacking; new or second-hand.
- Packaging equipmentFlow wrapping, lid applicator, labelling and cartoning; depends on your product.
- Production areaHygienic flooring, electricity, compressed air and water supply. A compact plant can be planned in 150 m².
- Solution preparationMixing tank, dosing system and water treatment.
- Raw materialsNonwoven fabric, premix, fragrance, packaging film, lids, labels and cartons.
- Quality controlA lab setup for pH and microbiological testing of the finished wipes.
- StaffOperators, maintenance and quality control; training during machine installation.
- Permits and certificatesProduct registration, production permits and export documents; these vary by country.
Wet wipes raw materials
A pack of wet wipes is made of four main materials. Build their lead times into your production schedule from the start.
The body of the wipe; its basis weight and texture are chosen to suit the product.
Everything except the water comes ready in the premix. With standard premixes, 980 kg of purified water and 20 kg of premix are enough for 1 tonne of solution.
Gives the wipe its scent; used at 0.3–0.5% of the finished solution.
Packaging film, lid or resealable label, box and carton.
Start-up roadmap
The steps to complete before you place a machine order.
- Business planProduct, capacity, investment and cost per pack are defined.
- Plant layoutMachine layout, material flow and hygiene zones are drawn to fit your space.
- Machines and supplyMachine manufacturers and raw material suppliers are selected.
- Installation and trialThe machines are installed and a trial run is made with your own fabric, solution and packaging.
- Mass productionQuality control routines are in place and production starts according to your sales plan.
Common mistakes
The points most often overlooked when preparing for production.
- Buying machines before defining the product. Machines, packaging and space are chosen according to the wipes you will produce.
- Skipping solution preparation. Tanks, dosing and water treatment need as much planning as the machine.
- Leaving supply to the last minute. Lead times for nonwoven and printed packaging determine when production can start.
- Leaving quality control for later. pH and microbiological testing routines must be ready before the first production run.
- Not clarifying documents for your target market. Product registration and export documents vary by country; handle them together with your sales plan.
Frequently asked questions
What do you need to make wet wipes?
A product and market decision, a machine line, packing equipment, a production area, a solution preparation section, raw materials, quality control, staff, and the permits and documents required in your country.
How much space is needed for wet wipes production?
It depends on the number of machines, storage needs and the product. A compact plant can be planned in 150 m².
What are the raw materials for wet wipes?
Nonwoven fabric, solution (premix and purified water), fragrance and packaging materials: packaging film, lid or label, box and carton.
How much capital do you need to make wet wipes?
Depending on product, capacity, automation and space, it ranges from about $50,000 to $1 million.
Can I prepare the solution myself?
Yes. With a premix, you simply add it to water and mix for 15 minutes; there is no need to weigh out individual chemicals.
What should I do before buying machines?
Define your product, capacity and cost per pack, and plan your space before the machines arrive.
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